Controls Engineer

Century Mold Co•Rochester, NY

13d

About The Position

The Controls Engineer position blends strong controls engineering expertise with hands-on manufacturing engineering to improve automation, equipment reliability, and production efficiency. This role requires deep technical knowledge of PLC programming, CNC programming and setup, robotics, and industrial automation systems combined with a strategic mindset for driving continuous improvement and digital manufacturing initiatives. The Controls Engineer will play a critical role in designing, integrating, troubleshooting, and optimizing automated manufacturing systems across molding, machining, assembly, and secondary operations. This individual will partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and IT teams to implement robust control systems, modernize equipment connectivity, and support the plant’s Industry 4.0 and automation roadmap. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of controls engineering, manufacturing process development, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering
5+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or manufacturing engineering
Strong experience with PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar platforms)
Experience programming or supporting CNC machines (Mastercam, NX, Fanuc, Haas, or similar)
Hands-on experience with industrial robotics, motion control, and automation systems
Knowledge of industrial networking and communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, OPC)
Experience with electrical schematics, control panel design, and troubleshooting electrical systems
Familiarity with machine vision systems, sensors, and automated inspection technologies
Experience integrating equipment with MES, SCADA, or machine monitoring systems
Strong problem-solving ability with a hands-on approach to manufacturing challenges
Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across engineering, operations, and maintenance teams

Nice To Haves

Experience in plastic injection molding, machining, or high-volume automated manufacturing

Responsibilities

Design, program, and maintain PLC-based control systems for automated manufacturing equipment, assembly cells, robotics, and material handling systems
Support CNC programming, setup, and process optimization for machining operations to improve cycle times, repeatability, and product quality
Lead automation integration projects, including robotics, vision systems, automated inspection, and secondary operations
Troubleshoot and resolve equipment controls issues across production lines to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability
Develop and standardize control architectures, electrical schematics, and automation documentation
Collaborate with maintenance and operations teams to support equipment upgrades, retrofits, and preventative maintenance strategies
Integrate machines and automation systems with plant data systems, machine monitoring platforms, and digital manufacturing tools
Partner with cross-functional teams to support new product launches, equipment installations, and process validation
Implement data collection and automation technologies that improve production visibility, traceability, and decision-making
Support the development of standard operating procedures, control logic documentation, and training materials for automated systems
Evaluate and implement automation and robotics opportunities to improve safety, throughput, and cost competitiveness
Work with external automation vendors, integrators, and OEMs to deliver reliable and scalable automation solutions